What are Custom Inserts?
Custom inserts are specially designed and highly customized shoe inserts a doctor will prescribe to treat certain conditions of the foot. Also called “insoles or foot orthotics”, they are made specifically for you to wear inside your shoes to correct biomechanical problems of your foot or heel.
Custom inserts are recommended only if an off-the-shelf device or other conservative treatments such as exercises prove ineffective in resolving the foot or heel issues.
Significance of Custom Inserts
The feet are the foundation of the body. People with chronic foot problems may find it difficult to perform simple activities such as walking, standing, or running.
Custom inserts do two things:
- Provide extra cushioning and support to the foot
- Keep the feet and ankles in the best position during standing, walking, running, and other activities.
Indications for Custom Inserts
Custom inserts can help with foot pain or discomfort caused by medical conditions such as:
- Diabetes / diabetic foot ulcers (open sore or wound)
- Arthritis(inflammation of foot joints)
- Bunions (swelling at the base of the big toe)
- Bursitis (inflammation in the heels and toes)
- Tendinitis (inflammation of foot tendon)
- Flat feet (foot with a lower than usual arch)
- High arch (foot arch raised more than normal)
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain due to ligament inflammation)
- Heel spurs(bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone)
- Overuse injuries
- Foot deformities
- Leg length discrepancy.
Types of Custom Inserts
A prescription for a custom insert is done based on the conditions or symptoms of the foot that needs to be treated. Following, are the two types of custom inserts:
Rigid or functional insert: Made of a semi-rigid material such as plastic or graphite, this type can ease:
- Most foot aches and strains, tendinitis
- Pain in the legs and lower back
- Diabetic foot ulcers, plantar fasciitis
- Painful calluses on the bottom of the foot
Creation of Custom Inserts
Before prescribing you a custom insert, the doctor will evaluate the biomechanics of your lower extremity (feet, ankles, and legs) thoroughly. This includes but is not limited to:
- Physical examination of the lower extremity to look for symptoms, deformities and, areas that are especially painful
- Walking and performing other activities to determine how the feet, ankles, and legs are positioned and move during certain exercises
- Taking traditional (X-ray or MRI) or 3D images to determine the exact location and type of problem in the structure and function of the foot
Post evaluation and diagnosis, the doctor will make a precise mold of the foot to ensure the insert fits correctly. Once the mold is ready, a professional will create the custom insert (rigid or soft) that precisely matches the shape, posture, and contours of your foot. Your doctor will explain the proper use and care of the custom insert.
Benefits of Custom Inserts
A custom insert:
- Makes the foot or ankle function better
- Helps reduce the risks of future injuries
- Eases foot pain and improves foot posture
- Helps avoid invasive treatments such as surgery
Related Topics:
- Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery
- Ankle Arthroscopy
- Ankle Joint Replacement
- Plantar Fascia Release
- Percutaneous Achilles Repair
- Endoscopic Achilles Lengthening
- Endoscopic Os Trigonum Excision
- Foot & Ankle Deformity Correction
- Flatfoot Reconstruction
- Ankle Ligament Reconstruction
- Total Toe Arthroplasty
- Custom 3D Printed Ankle Replacement
- Foot Reconstruction
- Total Talus Replacement
- Achilles Tendon Repair
- Charcot Osteoarthropathy
- External Fixation Trauma/Reconstruction
- INFINITY™ Total Ankle System
- INBONE™ Total Ankle System
- Invision TM Total Ankle System
- Cyst Removal
- Internal & External Fixation of Foot & Ankle Fractures
- Foot & Ankle Osteotomy
- Brostrom Repair
- Neurolysis
- Heel Surgery
- Foot Care
- Achilles Tendinitis Treatment
- Subtalar Arthrodesis
- Midfoot Fusion
- Cavovarus Foot Correction
- Charcot Reconstruction
- Bunionette Surgery
- Ankle Arthrodesis
- Anterior Tibialis Tendon Repair
- Lesser Toe Surgery
- Metatarsal Surgery
- Ankle Instability Surgery
- Ankle Tenotomy
- Diabetic Wound Management
- Ankle Fusion
- Posterior Tibialis Tendon Repair
- Syndesmosis with TightRope Fixation
- Bunionectomy
- Treatment of Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries
- Revision Foot & Ankle Surgery
- Fat Pad Cushion Restoration
- Tendon Transfer
- Charcot Foot Reconstruction
- Complex Foot & Ankle Surgeries
- Open Reduction & Internal Fixation of the Foot
- Open Reduction & Internal Fixation of the Ankle
- Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation System (OATS) of the Ankle
- Foot & Ankle Examination
- Foot Injections
- Foot & Ankle Conditioning Programs
- Foot & Ankle Rehabilitation
- Diabetic Shoe Program
- Amputation Prevention
- Bunion Prevention
- High Heels
- Custom Inserts
- Non-Surgical Treatment for Foot & Ankle Pain
- Compression Stockings (How they benefit your feet)
- Foot Orthotics